Council Timeline: Monday, November 7, 2022

The newly elected City Council membership for Prince Rupert
was installed to office on Monday evening at City Hall

Council meeting number one for the new Prince Rupert City Council was a brief one, with just nineteen minutes of official ceremonies and discussion to take care of to launch the next four years of civic governance for the community.

The night featured a welcome from Hereditary Chief Sm'ooygit Niist'ooyx Alex Campbell, the oath administered  by retired Judge Herman Seidemann, along with a tribute to Former Mayor Lee Brain and Councillor Blair Mirau, both of whom stepped down from office prior to the 2022 election.

Newly elected Mayor Herb Pond then had the Council members offer a few thoughts on the approaching term prior to brining the session to an end.

Some background on the night of ceremony can be reviewed from the Regular Council Agenda 

Further information from our overview and placement in the video archives can be found below, with the permanent record of the council minutes added as they are posted to the city website.

In attendance Monday, November 7, 2022

Mayor Herb Pond -- Present 
Councillor Nick Adey -- Present (Participated by Remote video)
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Present
Councillor Teri Forster  -- Present  (Participated by Remote video)
Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven -- Present 
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Present 
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Present

Video Archive for Monday, November 7, 2022  

 

  

REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL

( 0:00 - 8:00 )  Welcome and Oath of Office 

With a colour party made up of RCMP members and those from the Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue department the Canadian flag was brought into the Chamber with a welcome provided by Lax Kw'alaams Hereditary Chief Sm'ooygit Niist'ooyx Alex Campbell.

Retired Judge Herman Seidemann then asked each of the council members  in the Chamber and remotely to recite the oath of office towards their duties on behalf of the people of Prince Rupert.

In attendance in Chamber for the swearing in ceremony was Councillor Barry Cunningham, Councillor Reid-Skelton Morven, Councillor Wade Niesh, and Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa 

Participating by remote video link were Councillor Nick Adey and Councillor Teri Forster. 

Though as Judge Seidemann reminded those participating remotely, they cannot participate in municipal business until a signed oath is delivered to the Corporate Administrator. 

Towards the mayor's Installation in Office,  Mayor Herb Pond donned the ceremonial robe and chain of office and recited his oath after the Council had done so.

( 8:00 - 13:30 )  Tributes to departing Council members    

Following the official ceremonies, Mayor Pond called the session to order, noting of both MLA Jennifer Rice and Knut Bjorndal as being in attendance for the event, while also thanking Chief Campbell and Judge Seidemann for their assistance towards the ceremony. 

He then provided an address that spoke of the work of both former Mayor Lee Brain and Councillor Blair Mirau.

Both were presented with gifts as part of the tributes.

( 13:30 - 18: 00 )  Comments from Members of Council.

Mayor Pond noted of the presence of the RCMP and Fire Service members in the chamber and spoke of the importance of the evening and how the Council Chamber is where they gather to do  the People's place.

He then asked each of the members of Council to offer up any comments that the may have on the occasion.

Councillor Adey expressed his regrets at not being able to attend the event and observed of his thanks to those who voted for him and his excitement at working with the new council.

Councillor Forster also thanked those who helped her through the campaign and shared her excitement at joining what she called an amazing team. She also paid her tribute to both former Mayor Brain and Councillor Mirau.

Councillor Randhawa also thanked those who voted for him, as well as his family and supporters. He too offered his thanks to the outgoing duo of Mr. Brain and Mr. Mirau. He expressed his enthusiasm for the next four years.

Councillor Niesh thanked those who voted for him as well,  noting of his third term ahead. observing as to how it was going to be a great four years. He also thanked Mayor Brain and Councillor Mirau.

Councillor Skelton-Morven shared much the same sentiments, thanking those who supported him in the election campaign, he also paid tribute to both the former Mayor and former Councillor.

Councillor Cunningham, thanked those who supported him on election and also expressed his optimism for the next four years, observing that the framework has been in place through the work of the former Mayor and councillor for the work ahead. 

He also paid tribute to the work of City Staff over the last eight years and noted of all that they contribute to the city and how he looks forward to working with them over the next four years.

And with that, Mayor Pond Brough the session to a close.

You can access our Council Archive for the November 7th Council Session here, where a number of items regarding the Council Session, including links to any local media coverage can be found.

As always, our Council Timeline is only a reflection of our observations from the Council Session of the night.  Be sure to consult with the official minutes from the City, when posted to the City website for further review.

Official minutes of the Regular Council Session from November 7, 2022 (not available yet)

The Next Session for Prince Rupert City Council is set for Monday, November 21, 2022.